Podcast appearances and mentions of steve nygren

Serenbe is a unique community just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. It's based on the development pattern of traditional English villages, with walkable, mixed-use “hamlets” surrounded by nature. In today's episode, Chuck sits down with Serenbe founder Steve Nygren to discuss the process of developing this kind of community, as well as Steve's development philosophy of “radical common sense.” ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Start in Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where We Live With Radical Common Sense” by Steve Nygren Learn more about Serenbe. Chuck Marohn (Substack)   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership, including member-exclusive perks.

In this very special episode host Kim Marshall talks to two real estate development pioneers—Steve Nygren of Serenbe and Chuck Heath of AMEYALLI—as well as wellness icon Deepak Chopra about wellness real estate, the fastest growing sector of the global wellness economy according to the Global Wellness Institute. Steve shares why he founded Serenbe 20 years ago near Atlanta, Georgia, and how it developed into an award-winning neighborhood known for pioneering biophilic design, sustainability, and health-forward intergenerational living. Joining Steve is 40-year veteran of real estate development, Chuck Heath, who is building AMEYALLI near Deer Valley, Utah. Developed around hot springs, it's the first real estate development to partner one of the top names in mind-body wellbeing, Deepak Chopra, and his Chopra Foundation. Join us as we dive into the compelling idea that wellness communities can be the lifestyle longevity labs of the future.Resources:DeepakChopra.comSerenbe.comAMEYALLI.comDigitaldeepak.ai· 2024 Wellness Real Estate Market Growth Report -- GWI Hosted by Kim Marshall Produced by NOVA Media

In this episode of Biophilic Solutions, we are presenting a Fireside Chat recorded live at the 2024 Biophilic Leadership Summit, a multi-day conference for leaders in the Biohpilic world to come together, share ideas, and learn from one another. This features Serenbe founder, Steve Nygren, moderating a conversation with Ryan Gravel, Atlanta BeltLine creator, and Michael Phillips, President of Jamestown. Ryan discusses the process behind developing the BeltLine and explains how incorporating biophilia in Atlanta's architecture has and will continue to help change the city for the better. Similarly, Michael shares his perspective as a key player in the development of Ponce City Market and other major real estate found along NYC's The High Line, specifically highlighting how nature plays a key role in his decision to transform cities all over the world. Listen in to hear about their unique experiences with sustainable urban development and how incorporating biophilic principles into our cities promotes community, connectivity, and wellness. Links: Jamestown PropertiesMichael Phillips BioPonce City MarketThe High LineRyan Gravel BookRyan Gravel WebsiteThe BeltLine

Steve Nygren, visionary founder of the Serenbe community outside of Atlanta, returns to the podcast to discuss his vision for intentional communities where elders can age well — but not because they're designed exclusively for older adults, but for people of all ages to stay active, stay connected, and stay engaged with day-to-day life. If you missed Steve's first appearance on the podcast, check out episode 87, “The Serenbe Story of Biophilic Living,” to learn more about his background as a visionary developer and the tenets of biophilia. Learn more about Serenbe: https://www.serenbe.com/ Save the date for our annual conference, coming November 11-13: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

Serenbe Stories will be back on Monday, March 18th  for our milestone TENTH season and we couldn't be more excited. In this upcoming season, we're sharing more stories about the people that make Serenbe such a lively, interesting, and dynamic community. Hear from Steve Nygren about how Serenbe has grown in the 20 years since breaking ground, from residents who have uprooted their busy lives to move here and slow down, visiting artists who enrich our everyday experiences, and so much more. You can catch up on the first 9 seasons of Serenbe Stories anywhere you listen to podcasts and be sure to join us on Monday, March 18th, as we kickoff Season 10. Subscribe and follow so you never miss an episode. Thanks for listening to Serenbe Stories. 

Have you ever dreamed of living in community that focuses on OUR health and well being above all else?   Serenbe is an award winning biophilic community that connects people to nature and each other. Each of Serenbe's hamlets have complementary commercial centers focused on the elements of a well-lived life: arts for inspiration, agriculture for nourishment, health for wellbeing, play for a joy-filled life, and education for awareness. Fresh food is another of Serenbe's natural assets, with a 25-acre organic farm, seasonal Saturday Farmer's Market, thriving CSA program and edible landscaping, including blueberry bushes along paths and sidewalks. Year-round cultural events include outdoor performances from Terminus Modern Ballet, regional theatre, film series, culinary workshops and festivals, music events, and lectures, boutique shopping, art galleries, wellness services and trail riding, plus visiting artists in residence with classes, dinners and talks. In 2004, Steve & Marie Nygren's began the development of Serenbe, interlacing agriculture with a range of housing choices mixed with shops, galleries, restaurants and a full-service Inn. The result is reminiscent of century-old communities where many of your needs are within a walkable distance and neighbors know each other. Today, Steve serves as the CEO of Serenbe and lives in the community full-time.   https://www.serenbe.com     

On this week's episode of Serenbe Stories, we're sharing an interview that Steve Nygren gave on the Glowing Older podcast, alongside their host Nancy Griffin. Serenbe has big plans to  break ground on a state of the art aging-in-place campus, designed to take down the barriers that often leave older generations siloed away from the greater community. This campus will have no gates, no locked away areas, and interestingly, no age restrictions. It will also be located in the heart of Serenbe's Mado hamlet, connected to shops and restaurants, the new Acton Academy school campus, and plenty of health & wellness businesses and services. In this interview, hear about Steve's approach to aging in place, intergenerational living, and how it all ties back to his biophilic vision for the community. Show NotesGlowing OlderGlowing Older PodcastSerenbe plans innovative senior living center (Axios)Key Words: Aging, Intergenerational Living, Aging in Place, Senior Living, Wellness, Blue Zones, Biophilic Design, Biophilia, Serenbe, Community 

The founder and CEO of Serenbe talks about the importance of fresh air, farm to table food, art, and education, and the community's 20-year progression from breaking ground in 2004 to 500 houses, five restaurants, 35 businesses, and development of a leading-edge aging in place campus. About Steve Steve Nygren began his career in the hospitality industry, eventually starting a restaurant corporation that grew to 36 restaurants. In 1994, he and his wife Marie retired to a farm outside Atlanta, with their three daughters. Six years later, he became concerned about urban sprawl invading their adopted country paradise and in 2000 led the effort to create the Chattahoochee Hill Country Alliance to bring together landowners, developers, and conservationists to find a mutually agreed upon solution for balanced growth. Through two years, a land use plan was adopted to preserve 70% of the 40,000 acres on the edge of Atlanta while providing 20% more housing that traditional suburban sprawl yield.  In 2004, the Nygren's began the development of Serenbe interlacing agriculture with a range of housing choices mixed with shops, galleries, restaurants and a full-service Inn. The result is reminiscent of century old communities where many of your needs are within a walkable distance and neighbors know each other. Today, Steve serves as the CEO of Serenbe and lives in the community full-time. Key Takeaways Serenbe contributes over a million dollars for art and environmental programming annually. Zoning requires 70% of the land to remain agricultural. Serenbe's Montessori-based school has grown from a resident's basement to the completion of a 100% geothermal multimillion-dollar campus with the first Tesla solar shingles on any commercial building in the world and they will be totally self-sustaining from an energy standpoint. The new aging in place campus, breaking ground in February 2024, is based on The Hogeweyk® dementia village in the Netherlands. There will be no gates or locks, no age restrictions, multigenerational living, and care based on needs and lifestyle. Feasibility studies are based on looking through the rearview mirror. There are a lot of roadblocks to cutting new territory—many developers do not have the passion, patience, or ability.

An illustrious community of thriving citizens, Serenbe serves as a haven for those seeking sanctuaries away from the bustling city life, yet lust for the bountifulness of a clean, yet urban zen within nature. Serenbe founders Steve Nygren and Marie Lupo Nygren believe that if you want to change the world, start in your own backyard. The couple discovered the property now known as Serenbe on a weekend outing to introduce their three girls to the Georgia countryside in 1991. Weekend visits for the family transformed their lives, and three years later they sold their Atlanta home and relocated full-time to Serenbe.The vision for the community of Serenbe was born in an effort to protect the beautiful rural land just outside of Atlanta known as Chattahoochee Hill Country. The first house at Serenbe was built in 2004 and today the community is home to over 650 residents. Serenbe has won numerous awards including the Urban Land Institute Inaugural Sustainability Award, the Atlanta Regional Commission “Development of Excellence“ and EarthCraft named Serenbe the “Development of the Year.” They say that if you want to change the world, you should start in your own backyard. If that's so, then Serenbe is quite a beginning. In this episode of Building A Better Brand we'll chat with Serenbe's COO, Garnie Nygren, and CMO, Monica Olsen on how Serenbe builds sustainable brands, uses wellness initiatives to power their success and why they've  attracted people from all over the world to join their community and commit to biophilic living. Connect with Serenbe on Instagram and online here. Links to connect with Monica Olsen and Garnie Nygren. To plan your visit to Serenbe, click here. Connect with Tony Triumph: @tonytriumphofficial (IG), Tonytriumph10 (Twitter), LinkedInAudio Production: Jamal Bethea Music by: Yugy

As you wander through Serenbe's hamlets, taking in the details, the architecture, and feeling nature all around you, you can't help but feel a true sense of place. Placemaking is the process of building high-quality spaces that encourage learning, play, happiness, and health - it's the intentionality that's been built into Serenbe's model from day one. In this special episode of Serenbe Stories, join Steve Nygren for a walking tour of the community and learn all about how he designed the public areas and community at large in order to promote connection to nature, wellness, and a sense of community.  We'll start at the Blue Eyed Daisy, move through Selborne and Grange, and end in Mado. Whether you're listening at home, in your car, or joining us for a walk through Serenbe, we hope you enjoy this placemaking tour!Show NotesNygren PlacemakingBlue Eyed DaisyRyan GaineyCreating Art Out of the Ordinary with Ryan Gainey (Serenbe Stories)Land Planning and Sacred Geometry's Influence with Phil Tabb (Serenbe Stories)Last Child in the Woods by Richard LouvShannon LakePeter BlockGordon ChandlerSerenbe Planning and DesignAspen Institute

Have you ever wondered why Serenbe feels special or different from the vast majority of large developments? Or why there's a certain feeling of calm in Serenbe that you can't quite put your finger on? It all comes down to the details. From street signs, lamp posts, and trash cans, to front lawns (or lack thereof) and a very intentional street layout, Steve Nygren shares the small details that make all the difference when it comes to achieving a sense of place, a sense of community, and perfect imperfection.Show Notes & Further ReadingThe Well-Placed Weed: The Bountiful Garden of Ryan Gainey by Ryan GaineyWelcome to the Porch Capital of America (Southern Living)Serenbe Planning & DesignSerene Urbanism: A biophilic theory and practice of sustainable placemaking by Phillip James TabbLast Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard LouvChildren & Nature Network 

Host Sherri Snelling shares the latest news for July's National Sandwich Generation Month about those family caregivers who are caring for two generations simultaneously – younger children and older parents or grandparents. We also offer some tips for caregivers in our Caregiver Wellness News on how to find a little me time and self-care for International Self-Care Day on July 24. Our inspirational interview this episode is with Steve Nygren, the founder and CEO of Serenbe – one of the top wellness spots to live in the U.S. and a growing trend of neighborhoods built with biophilic design that means “love of life and nature” and which Sherri writes about in her upcoming book, “The Snug Home - A Family Caregiver's Guide to Well Home Design.” For our Well Home Design News we provide Summer Travel Tips for the Sandwich Generation – including something you may not know about – respitality – and the latest trend in virtual travel. Sherri explains how it is all about going from “staycations” to “wellcations.” As always, we end our episode with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack which captures our 2022 theme of “Living Colorfully.” Sherri talks about the healing, healthful and happy color of green while we also celebrate National Forest Week July 11-18. Learn more: caregivingclub.com/podcast/

Do you have the courage to take a 90 degree turn into the unknown? It can be difficult to leave what's comfortable and enter risk—but with risk you can experience great reward. Steve Nygren, Founder of Serenbe, an award-winning biophilic community, did just that. He is a place-maker who created an environment in the rural hills of Georgia that focuses on arts, agriculture, health and education. He envisioned the future he wanted and made it happen. Serenbe has won numerous awards for its sustainability and excellent development. In this bonus episode of Questioning Leadership, learn from Steve while he and Daniel question rules that are often established in fear and how to consciously keep dreams alive—moving them forward into reality.

Shelton Davis would rather hear your story than tell his. But in today's episode we're hearing the story of his life in Serenbe and building his company Empathy Lab. Shelton believes in the power of empathy within ourselves, so he's creating a world where it's embraced by leaders at every level in order to accelerate human achievement for the benefit of all. He talks about his transformation as a competitive athlete, what it means to be an empathy coach, and how we can recondition our empathy muscles and empower collective success from the inside out.Biophilic Solutions Promo

From our good friends over at Serenbe Stories, hear Monica and Steve Nygren's interview with retired marine Colonel Mark “Puck” Mykleby. In this episode, Mark explains why biophilic communities are an important aspect of national security, how sustainability drives economic growth, and why smart growth at home becomes smart power abroad. You will also learn about the origins of the Biophilic Institute, as well as the work Mark is doing in the private sector to create more walkable communities. Though this interview is from December 2019, its themes are as timely as ever. If you are interested in learning more about how we can scale biophilic design, join us for the virtual Biophilic Leadership Summit on October 11th and 12th. Biophilic Solutions listeners get a special rate when they use the code BiophilicSolutions.Show NotesRegister for the 2021 Biophilic Leadership Summit (Oct. 11 & 12, 2021) with code BiophilicSolutionsThe Biophilic InstituteThe Grand New Strategy: Restoring America's Prosperity, Security, and Sustainability in the 21st Century by Mark Mykelby, Patrick Doherty, and Joel MakowerAdmiral Michael Glenn Mullen, Joint Chiefs of StaffCongress for the New UrbanismThe New America FoundationLong Haul Capital GroupDue to the increasing spread of Covid-19, we are taking the 2021 Biophilic Leadership Summit virtual. From the safety and comfort of your home or office, join thought-leaders for workshops, presentations, and engaging Q/As on the ‘biophilia effect' on health, climate change, policy, and future developments with a focus on Biophilia at Scale: Land and Water presentations focusing on land use and infrastructure. Join the Biophilic Movement on October 11th and October 12th, 2021, hosted by The B

Rachel K. Garceau is a studio artist whose work has been shown nationally and has been published in Studio Potter, Ceramics Monthly, and National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Journal, and also appears in CAST: Art and Objects Made Using Humanity's Most Transformational Process. In this episode, Rachel talks about her preferred medium of porcelain and being inspired by nature, and she and Steve make plans to give new life to some of her past work. And definitely stay to the end as she shares an inspiring poem with us at the end of the episode.Biophilic Solutions Promo

Jon Hutson is the Co-founder of BrandCulture, an agency that integrates branding and organizational development as the flip sides of the same coin. In this episode, Jon talks about becoming an advocate for biophilia after being gifted a book by E.O. Wilson. Once he moved to Serenbe he got in deeper and created the Biophilia Poster Competition, which brought in more than 3,500 poster submissions from around the world and was displayed in the woods of Serenbe Fall 2020. Jon incorporates biophilic principles into his client work on brand development and culture building and you can find him running the Serenbe trails most mornings.Biophilic Solutions Promo

Greg and Amanda Kasparian had a vision for building a wellness business as soon as they knew they were making Serenbe their home. They initially opened Creek Retreat in the terrace level of their townhouse, and it quickly grew out of their home and into a retail space in the heart of Mado. Plus they've now launched a skincare line! In this episode, we talk about Greg's background in the spa and wellness industry, Amanda's experience in fitness and nutrition, and how, during a workshop, Greg had his "A ha!" moment.Biophilic Solutions Promo

A thoughtful, dynamic and innovative entrepreneur, Tyler Scriven is the Founder & CEO of Saltbox, a co-warehousing startup on a mission to make logistics approachable, accessible, and efficient for all. In this episode of Serenbe Stories, we talk with Tyler about his vision for a human-centered business and how - even as an introvert - he enjoys the serendipitous interactions he has with neighbors at Serenbe. Biophilic Solutions Promo

Sam Harrison has been on all sides of creative communications, marketing and branding and most recently, on the academic and coaching side. He speaks, trains, writes and coaches on creativity-related topics with a mission to help people expand and express their creativity and improve their presentation skills. In today's episode, we talk with Sam about staying curious, his neighborhood newsletter that has been telling Serenbe's stories for years, and how to foster your creative enthusiasm and passion. Biophilic Solutions Promo

Artist GW Harper, known to her Serenbe neighbors as Gigi Wilborn, is represented by a number of Atlanta galleries including Dogwood, Kuali Studio, and the Chatt Hills Gallery, and she is a former Goat Farm Arts Center studio member.In this episode, Gigi tells us how her painting career was jumpstarted by her husband's gift of a weekend away, what is was like to be a nurse during a pandemic, and how she's combining her passions for healthcare and art.Biophilic Solutions Promo

Today we welcome Steve Hurwitz, one of our earliest residents who has a long history in marketing and advertising and now specializes in consulting with developers and builders, including Serenbe, on Geothermal HVAC and infrastructure for homes and communities. In this episode, we talk with him about how Coca-Cola brought him to Atlanta from New York and his garage band Neuroplasticity - which he formed with other residents, even though he didn't know how to play an instrument.Biophilic Solutions Promo

On this episode of the Wild Spaces Podcast, we interview Steve Nygren, the Founder of Serenbe, a nature-connected wellness community on the edge of Atlanta, Georgia. Steve shares his evolving story about growing up on a farm in Colorado, running a successful hospitality and real estate company, re-discovering the benefits of connecting to nature, and then developing Serenbe, a neighborhood full of fresh food, fresh air and focused on wellbeing. This community is set among acres of preserved forests and meadows with miles of nature trails that connect homes and restaurants with arts, businesses, and biophilia. On each episode of the Wild Spaces Podcast, we interview adventurous professionals who share their inspiring stories about real estate, architecture, and designs that connect people with nature. We dive deep into the concepts of Biophilic Design and Rewilding. Join us as we become more wild, together. Full episode show notes are available at: wildspacesinstitute.org/blog

Last season, we went straight to the best source for Serenbe Stories, Serenbe residents. They talked about how they first discovered the community and the friends they made. We heard about the businesses started, homes built, and the inspiration found. All of these stories had a common thread: A curiosity and a willingness to learn, an openness to new people and ideas, and a desire for connection as we build a community and hope for a better world.Season 6 will begin in two weeks, and we'll continue to bring you the inspiring stories of people who have created community at Serenbe. Catch up on seasons 1-5 anywhere you listen to podcasts, follow us and leave us a 5-star rating and written review. Thank you for listening to Serenbe Stories!Biophilic Solutions Promo

Meghan and Patrick Sharp carried around a Cottage Living Magazine featuring a Serenbe home on the cover long before making the move, but the moment they drove in and saw the sign "Children & Adults at Play," they decided this was their place. Interior design is what they do, creating beautiful spaces within the neighborhood and beyond. In this episode, the Sharps talk about designing homes at Serenbe, moving to San Francisco and back again, and what you'll miss if you don't look up.Biophilic Solutions Promo

Today we explore Serenbe, located in the hill country of South Fulton County, Georgia. It has been called a wellness sanctuary, an environmental prototype, an agrihood, even a utopia.  In Episode 87, Susan Ryan talked with Steve Nygren, founder, and CEO of Serenbe, a community created as a model to demonstrate that preserving 70 percent of green space interlaced with agriculture, housing, and retail is not only economically viable but is the future of community wellbeing.  In this recap, Marla highlights the many aspects of Serenbe, including the origin of the name. Mary explores the Biophilic Institute at the community and why the non-profit was established eight years ago. Both Mary and Marla share what they call “Steve-isms”—interesting perspectives that Steve has on life. Marla takes a closer look at his thoughts on fear, eldercare, purpose, and vitality. We have often talked about meaningful life on this podcast and during this episode Marla discusses “Ikigai” and how it connects to the insights Steve shared during the podcast.   Thank you, VANCARE, our sponsor for the month of May. As a family-owned business for more than 30 years, VANCARE is the leading manufacturer of American-made ceiling and mobile floor lifts. You can find them at www.vancare.com.    Read about the Biophilic Institute here:  https://www.biophilicinstitute.com/ The Philosophy of Ikigai: https://positivepsychology.com/ikigai/?utm_campaign=enormail&utm_source=enormail&utm_medium=email Information on the Green House Dementia Symposium here:  https://files.constantcontact.com/e3eea0f5101/40485654-7e2c-4c75-8197-cd3b59f3dfec.pdf

Susan Ryan sits down with Steve Nygren, founder and CEO of Serenbe, an award-winning biophilic community that connects people to nature and each other. Located in Chattahoochee Hills, Ga., each of Serenbe’s hamlets has a complementary commercial center focused on the elements of a well-lived life: arts for inspiration, agriculture for nourishment, health for wellbeing, and education for awareness. Serenbe has been called a wellness sanctuary, an environmental prototype, an agrihood, and even a utopia. Nygren, who has won awards for his work with Serenbe, paints a picture that illustrates its virtues and holistic value proposition as something that is just right for all generations. He expounds upon biophilic design and how that has informed this unique community, including the location of the Biophilic Institute within Serenbe.  Finally, he talks about a vision for eldercare within the context of meaningful human connections and with nature. He challenges everyone to bring new mindsets, words, and actions to work and mission to prioritize people.  The Green House Project (GHP), in its pursuit of the most cutting-edge thinking, research, and whole-person approaches to ensuring that all elders thrive, will host a dementia symposium this Sept. 13 and 14 at Serenbe.  “DementiaVerse: A New Frontier in Learning, Collaboration, & Scholarship,” will feature Nygren as well other internationally respected leaders, such as Drs. Emi Kiyota, Jennifer Carson, Al Power, and Dale Bredesen, along with Health and Wellness Coach, Lisa Feiner, and founder of the Biophilic Institute, Bill Browning, as they challenge us to think differently and embrace a better way to support people living with dementia.  This hybrid event will offer limited space for participants to attend onsite. For more information, visit the GHP website at www.thegreenhouseproject.org.    Thank you, VANCARE, our sponsor for the month of May. As a family-owned business for more than 30 years, VANCARE is the leading manufacturer of American-made ceiling and mobile floor lifts. You can find them at www.vancare.com.    Read more about Serenbe here: www.serenbe.com.  Connect with Steve Nygren on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenygren

Patrice Sumpter is an award-winning real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway Georgia Properties, receiving the Chairman's Circle Award in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and consistently performing in the top 1% of agents in the country. As a self-professed "city girl," she and her husband, Ron first chose the Mado neighborhood for it's city energy. In this episode we talk about their avid support of Serenbe's restaurants, her dream of living in Spain, and her new desire of owning a horse (but we'll see what Ron has to say about that). Biophilic Solutions Promo

Stacy Simmonds had a long career in retail, branding, and sales, all the while with a lifelong dream of opening her own store. Before settling in Serenbe, Stacy, and her husband, Jason, lived in cities all over the country. She didn't know it at the time, but everywhere she lived she was acquiring the inspiration for what is now Hamlin, her modern lifestyle store in the Selborne neighborhood. The relaxing in-store atmosphere, the curated "necesary(ish)" products, and the amazing experiences she creates, including an Adult Big Wheel Race, are all about "making adults feel like kids again."Biophilic Solutions Promo

Today we're talking with Penny McPhee, who is the former President of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, a well known philanthropic nonprofit that has donated over $800 million to initiatives from early childhood development to the arts.She knew from an early age that she wanted to change the world and that writing was her talent. In this episode, we talk with Penny about her career in journalism and media, her influence in making the art collection at Atlanta's Mercedes Benz stadium worthy of a fine arts museum, and what she's looking forward to for her next adventure. Penny first visited Serenbe before homes had been built, and he and her husband even joked about wondering if Steve's vision could work. Nearly 20 years later, the vision is realized and the McPhee's have found a happier healthier life living at Serenbe.Biophilic Solutions Promo

Our neighbor Gemmie Dayrit has worked with traveling museum exhibitions throughout Asia and the U.S., including iconic shows RMS Titanic and Bodies: The Exhibition. Her specialty is curating museum gift shops,  and she recently launched Wild Tribe Productions that is also creating pop-up retail experiences. In this episode, we talk about how a trip to a haunted New York hotel room led her to Serenbe, how living here opened a dimension of life she never expected, and the gift of being a Godmother.Biophilic Solutions Promo

Dr. Eden Hinds came to Serenbe to lead and grow Acton Academy at Serenbe and ended up finding home. As the Head of School and CEO she embodies the Acton ideal of a curious, lifelong learner - she holds multiple degrees and certificates in education and never stops asking questions. In this episode, we talk about instilling practical life skills in children and the benefits of place, specifically how the school thrives in community by having the opportunity to benefit from Serenbe's assets, especially of nature as a learning environment. She and Steve also share the first details of a new campus being built in the Mado neighborhood.Biophilic Solutions Promo

Pierre Ferrari is the President and CEO of Heifer International, an organization on a mission to end hunger and poverty by supporting and investing alongside local farmers and their communities. He has worked at or had board roles at Coca-Cola, Ben & Jerry's and the Small Enterprise Assistance Fund, he has a Master’s degree in economics from Cambridge and an MBA from Harvard.  Pierre's 40 years of business experience are being put into his passion for social issues at Heifer. You can find his recent opinion pieces in Time magazine with Chef Tom Coliccio about the fixes we need to food system and in Fast Company on ethical meat standards. Pierre and his wife Kim have been fans of Serenbe for years and recently made the move full time.Biophilic Solutions Promo

Today we're talking with Juliet Cutler, a teacher, author, and Serenbe resident, whose memoir, Among The Maasai, documents her time teaching English at a Maasai girls' school in the late '90s and she addresses the challenges inherent in tackling issues of extreme poverty across vastly different cultures. In this episode, we talk about the power of educating women and girls, how Juliet has continued to advocate for Maasai girls over the last 20 years, and the importance of having a community. Juliet Cutler is a writer, an educator, and a designer of award-winning exhibits for museums, parks, and cultural centers throughout the world. Her teaching career began in Tanzania in 1999, and since that time she has been an activist for girls’ education worldwide.Cutler’s literary and professional publications now number more than two dozen, and she has taught writing in many settings including as adjunct faculty for the College of St. Scholastica in Minnesota. Her first book, Among the Maasai, has received critical acclaim through several national and international awards including the Independent Publisher Book Award, the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award, and the National Indie Excellence Award.In 2009, she was selected by Orion Magazine to participate in their annual writing workshop, and in 2013, she participated in a writer’s residency at La Muse in Labastide-Esparbairenque, France. In 2019, The Serenbe Institute for Art, Culture, and the Environment honored Cutler as a Serenbe Fellow—a distinction given to nationally recognized thought leaders, scholars, and artists.Biophilic Solutions Promo

Camille Lowe thought she'd stay on the West Coast when she left Georgia after college. Not only did Serenbe draw her back, she was inspired by the place and people to get involved in determining its future, and is now our city council representative for Chattahoochee Hills. In this episode, we talk with our neighbor Camille about the gift of nature homebuyers get when they move here, her favorite time of day to explore Serenbe, and the city's future. Camille was raised in Macon, Georgia, attended the University of Georgia where she received a BBA in Risk Management/Insurance, and was a four-year starter for the UGA Women’s Basketball Team. Her 20-year career in biopharmaceuticals has involved a lot of travel, working from a home base on the west coast, then back to the Atlanta area. Prior to moving into sales, Camille was an Account Executive for Marsh in San Francisco, CA, a global leader in insurance and risk management. Camille moved to Serenbe in 2015 as she looked for a place she could enjoy her love of nature and connect with community in a place that is beautiful, healthy, and environmentally sensitive, and currently serves as Chattahoochee Hills City Council Member for District 4.

Today we have resident Jason Geter, who is the co-founder of Grand Hustle Records and most recently, Heavy Sound Labs that is a music incubator for emerging artists. We talk about removing the gatekeeper model in music, finding creativity in nature and how a serendipitous golf cart ride made his move to Serenbe a no brainer. A natural leader, Jason Geter embraces the blue collar intersection of music, art, fashion, technology, and sweat equity, taking cast-off remnants and reimagining them as brands that could only exist today. Jason, a serial entrepreneur and investor, is the founder of Heavy Sound Labs and Strivers Row, a lifestyle brand; co-founder of Grand Hustle, AKOO, and Hustle Gang Apparel; co-owner of All Def Digital; and advisor to several multimedia artists and brands. Through his venture Grand Hustle, he’s had the pleasure of launching the careers of acts such as T.I., Travis Scott, Killer Mike, B.O.B., Iggy Azalea, DJ Drama, Young Dro, and more. Geter has even had the honor of managing the solo career of Big Boi, of the legendary Outkast, and co-producing the #1 premiering film Takers.Jason’s partnerships are effortless because of his culture of innovation, superior product development capabilities, integrated multichannel infrastructure, and significant scale to offer an unmatched combination of authenticity, quality, and value. In a world guided by focus groups and facts, Jason admires those inspired spirits who believe that ideas of the future don’t exist in the past. Jason is dedicated to curating a global lifestyle, leveraging his core capabilities to innovate, curate, and integrate new businesses.

Imagine if your car were powered by solar roads made out of recycled tires? Today we talk with Allie Kelly, the Executive Director of The Ray, a highway that is the future for sustainable roads and transportation. She talks about how her family found Serenbe and Steve challenges listeners with a Serenbe scavenger hunt to find the chair placed in memory of the highway's namesake Ray C. Anderson that features a box with his book hidden inside.In the five years since its conception, Allie has helped The Ray to implement and build nearly a dozen ground-breaking, world-leading technology demonstrations, including the first solar road in the United States and the world’s first public demonstration of a drive-through tire safety station. Allie has over 15 years of experience working in public policy, first as a lobbyist for UPS in Washington, D.C. then founding Georgia Watch in Atlanta, the state’s only consumer watchdog organization. Allie earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Georgia.

Steve Nygren and Monica Olsen talk with their neighbor Heather Ruth about leaving a high-stress career to gain multiple yoga certifications and to launch the Serenbe Yoga & Bodyworks studio. Her journey began as a way to manage stress and gain physical strength. Listen to her story and hear how she became Mom to a 5 Nigerian dwarf goats. Heather received her Thai Yoga Therapist certification and 200 RYT in Costa Rica specializing in Restorative and Breathework, and attained her 300 RYT through The Maze Method, which focuses on alignment. She is also certified in Aerial Yoga and Yoga Nidra. As the proud Mom to 5 Nigerian Goats (in addition to daughter Madison), most weekends Heather can be found teaching Goat Yoga at The Animal Village at Serenbe. Heather's classes are light hearted and meditative in nature.

In this episode, Farmer D and Steve Nygren dig in to the origins of Serenbe and how it's grown from a seed planted decades ago into a model Biophilic community of the future.Join Our Community!Our Partners:Brilliant Marketing - A boutique marketing consulting collective helping passionate businesses create impact and achieve their dreams through mindful based marketing.Show Notes:Serenbe Nygren PlacemakingKiss The Ground MovieAdditional Resources:Citizen Farmers Resources Citizen Farmers BookCredits:Co-Produced and Recorded by Daron Joffe and Ben BernsteinAudio Editing by Sarah MilliganMusic by Ben BernsteinAbout Farmer D:Farmer D is a nationally recognized biodynamic farmer, designer, speaker, entrepreneur and educator.He is the author of the acclaimed book "Citizen Farmers: The Biodynamic Way to Grow Healthy Food, Build Thriving Communities and Give Back to the Earth" and has spent the past 25 years designing and building community farms and gardens all over the country.Farmer D has worked on a wide range of public and private farm development projects ranging from residential “agrihood” communities like Serenbe and Rancho Mission Viejo to non-profit projects such as Coastal Roots Farm and Camp Twin Lakes.About Steve Nygren:Fearing urban sprawl in 2000, Steve led the effort to create the Chattahoochee Hills Country Alliance to bring together landowners, developers and conservationists to find a mutually-agreed upon solution of balanced growth for 40,000 acres on Atlanta’s edge. This effort resulted in the largest land use change in the metro area’s recent history Compared to the 15 county metro Atlanta’s model over the last three decades, this land plan provides for 20% more housing while saving 70% of the land for agriculture and recreation. In 2004, the Nygrens began development of Serenbe the community to demonstrate these concepts. The result is reminiscent of century-old communities connected to current technology. Steve has chaired many local and state board and currently serves on three national boards dealing with environmental issues. He also serves on the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Board and chairs the Task Force for Comprehensive Planning for Georgia.Support the show (https://www.citizenfarmers.com/podcast/#podcast-subscribe)

Stop any resident on the streets of Serenbe, and they’ll have a story to tell you about how they got here. How they first discovered Serenbe and the friends they’ve made. Parents will share why they’re raising their children, and others share how they’ve built their own extended family. Some have started a business, built a new home, or found creative inspiration to write a book or create art. Others have found solace on the trails or taken up a new hobby with new friends. All of these stories have a common thread: a curiosity and a willingness to learn, an openness to new people, ideas, and a desire for connection, to build a community and a hope for a better world. In past seasons we’ve told stories about what Serenbe is, how it was built and how Steve Nygren’s vision has inspired a biophilic movement. This season goes straight to the best source for Serenbe Stories, Serenbe residents. Subscribe today to hear their stories and learn why the best reason to live here are the people here.

As more people look to move out of cities, a new, environmentally-friendly communities may be their next home. Earth911 talks with Scott Austin, a cofounder of the Olivette Riverside Community and Farm, a 346-acre planned "agrihood" along the French Broad River near Asheville, N.C. His team built "a community in which our interactions with water, nature, food, community and lifelong learning are seamless and foster sustainable living." It introduces a unique lifestyle that includes a farm funded through a Community Supported Agriculture program built into the cost of living.Scott shares the Olivette lifestyle, and his plans for farm-to-table living that values "gardens over golf courses." In addition to being able to pick up fresh berries and produce from the farm, clusters of homes share large gardens and everyone can borrow shared bicycles to get around. An affluent community, Olivette may provide an early model for reimagining towns that integrate agriculture, wilderness and lifelong learning that can be applied in many settings. Austin point similar projects, such as Serenbe, whose founder Steve Nygren we interviewed in December 2019. There are many lessons to take from the experience of these early efforts at reinventing living for sustainability.To learn more, visit the Olivette Riverside Community and Farm at https://www.olivettenc.com/.

We planned on recording 12 episodes of this biophilia-focused season, but we couldn't end without talking to Jeff Tkach, the Chief Impact Officer at Rodale Institute, about the place where life begins: The Soil. As Rodale has proven, Healthy Soil equals Healthy Food, which makes Healthy People, and the healthiest soil is organic and regenerative. Not only is healthy soil important for us, it's important for the planet.Jeff is responsible for expanding Rodale Institute's global influence to heal people and the planet by unlocking the transformational power of regenerative organic agriculture. He was in Chattahoochee Hills this November to open Rodale Institute's Southeast Organic Center - one of three research hubs being opened across the country to increase the number of organic farms and acres in production through training and education.In this episode, we talk with Jeff about training new farmers, why J.I. Rodale hated the word "sustainable," and how Rodale is putting $2 million into the future of food.

Diandra Marizet stopped through Serenbe in December 2019, while on a road trip from New York to her family's home in Texas. She found us while searching for farm stays she could visit along the way, and was drawn in by Serenbe's design intention. Her afternoon here made an impression, and her subsequent work on Intersectional Environmentalist made an impression on us. Diandra Marizet is a founding member of Intersectional Environmentalist, which is a platform with the goal of dismantling systems of oppression in the environmental movement. The founding group created a Council of environmental activists and sustainability advocates that are committed to identifying the ways in which injustices happening to marginalized communities and the earth are interconnected. In this episode, we talk with Diandra about her background in fashion, most recently with Kate Spade, and how that lead to climate and environmental activism.

Did you know that when we're in cities, it's hard to relax because we're taking in all the stimuli around us. In contrast, when we're in nature - even with our eyes open - the quiet and peaceful environment allows us to relax, which is imperative for human health and de-stressing.Today we are talking with Florence Williams, who is a journalist and author, whose most recent book is The Nature Fix: How Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative. She is also contributing editor at Outside Magazine, and a freelance writer for the New York Times, National Geographic, Slate, Mother Jones and numerous other publications. Her work focuses on the environment, health and science. In this episode we talk about her immersive research that proves the connection between nature and human health. She also shares content from her next book, which was partially written while in residence at Serenbe.

Donate to The Permaculture Podcast Online: via PayPal Venmo: @permaculturepodcast Browse the Archives. The episode with Jeff Speck left me curious about what the details Jeff mentioned look like in practice. I followed up that conversation by sitting down with my guest for this episode, Steve Nygren, founder of Serenbe.

The episode with Jeff Speck left me curious about what the details Jeff mentioned look like in practice. I followed up that conversation by sitting down with my guest for this episode, Steve Nygren, founder of Serenbe. Visit Our Partner: Building a Better WorldJoin The Permaculture Podcast Patreon Community Serenbe is a model community located […] The post Sustainable Suburbs – Serenbe | Steve Nygren appeared first on The Permaculture Podcast.

What kind of world are we going to leave our children? That is the question Principal Patrick Muhammad asks himself as he leads Chatt Hills Charter School. With a tri-focus curriculum of Arts, Agriculture, and Environment, he's teaching them the value of life from a ladybug to a human.Education is a pillar of our Biophilic Principles, and Serenbe is proud to support our local charter school since its founding. Today we're talking with Principal Muhammad, who is affectionately known as The Principal Farmer by his students, about how their outdoor programming has improved student health, how they've increased test scores, and why they have a wait list each year to enroll in this innovative K-8 school.

After going on a (virtual) tour of the idyllic Atlanta suburb of Serenbe, we couldn't wait to sit down with its founder and CEO, Steve Nygren...We also can't wait to plan our visit! In this episode, we bring his beautiful and inspiring vision for sustainable community living to our listeners. Full of warmth and passion, Steve shares how he created Serenbe as a wellness community to demonstrate that preserving 70% of green space interlaced with agriculture, housing and retail is a win-win-win - promoting healthy people, a healthy planet and of course, a healthy return on investment.Find out more:Website - https://serenbe.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/serenbe/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/serenbeTwitter - https://twitter.com/serenbeYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt-9HIP1OS4YiI-hJe_8FsQBlog - https://serenbe.com/about#valuesPodcast -http://serenbestories.buzzsprout.com/ 

Yoli Ouiya is passionate about sustainability and wellness, and is best known for her eco-lifestyle portal Yoli’s Green Living, which earned her the moniker “Queen of Green” by Black Enterprise Magazine. Her self-professed “first passion,” though, is food, and when COVID struck the world in early 2020, she turned her focus to food equity, co-founding The Food + Wellness Equity Collective. The collective is a diverse group of content creators and entrepreneurs committed to being change agents for equity, diversity, and anti-racism in the food and wellness industries.In this episode, Monica and Steve reminisce with Yoli about their kindred connection when meeting in New York at the 2017 Global Wellness Summit, and how that meeting brought Yoli to the first Biophilic Leadership Summit at Serenbe. They also talk about how Wholesome Wave, SNaP, and Rodale Institute are impacting food policy on local and national levels, how Yoli is changing the face of food and wellness by providing a safe place to talk about food policy issues, and how we can all #sharetheplate.

Many people dream of creating a new kind of community. One that is both sustainable and beautiful. A place where they can raise their kids, connect with neighbors, yet still rejuvenate in nature. Most of these dreams remain just that.On this episode Steven Nygren, the visionary and developer, shares his story about creating the community of his dreams. A place outside of Atlanta called Serenbe.There are not many people in the world like Steve. His creation is truly a feat that many would deem too large to even attempt. From rural hamlets run on geothermal energy, to world-class schools, integrated farms and edible landscapes, by the time you finish listening you'll be ready to see it for yourself.